Pancreatic cancer screening by abdominal ultrasonography

Abstract

The number of deaths in pancreatic cancer is increasing yearly. In the absence of effective screening methods such as blood markers, abdominal ultrasonography for asymptomatic subjects becomes essential for the early detection of pancreatic cancer. However, the pancreatic cancer detection rate during the annual health check is still not sufficient. The Abdominal Ultrasound Screening Test Manual has been proposed by The Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening, and its distribution is encouraged in order to improve the accuracy of ultrasound examination. To improve early detection or pancreatic cancer, it will be useful if pancreatic cancer high-risk groups were identified from the regional hospitals and referred to university-affiliated hospitals and encouraged to employ proactive screening using abdominal ultrasonography. It is possible to find early pancreatic cancer by identifying in these high risk groups, such as patient with pancreatic cysts and pancreatic ductal dilation, and following up using Pancreatic Examination System centered on special pancreatic ultrasonography. We discuss the present situation of early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by abdominal ultrasonography, along with tips for visualizing the pancreas.